Beeston: Longer opening hours for Elland Road park and ride

Elland Road’s new park and ride is now opening later at night for people travelling back from Leeds city centre.

Park and Ride BusIn response to comments from users, the park and ride site, which opened earlier this summer, will now remain open until 9.15pm. This extension gives people who are parked at the site to use bus services 51 and 52 from the city centre’s Vicar Lane to a stop on Elland Road, a few minutes’ walk from the Park & Ride entrance.

Park & Ride tickets will be valid between Leeds city centre and Elland Road on service 51 and 52 buses after 7pm.

Cllr James Lewis, Chair of the West Yorkshire Combined Authority’s Transport Committee said:

“Feedback from users of the Park & Ride has been overwhelmingly positive, but some people have said they would like to be able to leave their cars beyond the current closing time of 7.15pm.

“As a result we’ve extended the opening hours so people can catch regular bus services 51 or 52 from outside Kirkgate Market in the city centre to an Elland Road stop nearby to the park and ride.”

Evening services 51 and 52 depart from the stop M7 on Vicar Lane at 6.57pm, 7.07pm (Monday to Friday), 7.17pm (Monday to Friday), 7.27pm, 7.57pm, 8.27pm and 8.57pm. Timetables and yournextbus real-time information for these services is available from www.wymetro.com. The yournextbus stop reference number 45010682.

Information about the extended hours, which will still apply when Leeds United have mid-week matches, is being put in the city centre park and ride service shelter on Boar Lane.

Cllr Richard Lewis, Leeds City Council’s Executive Member for Transport and the Economy said:

“With the holiday season coming to an end and more people returning to work, we are expecting the numbers of motorists taking advantage of the Park & Ride to grow, particularly as the positive feedback from commuters already using it spreads.”

What do you think about the proposals? A good move for the city – but what impact will it have on local residents? Have your say in the comments below.